DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Unit Strategic Plan and Annual Report -- Academic Year 2007-08
______Academic Unit ___X___ Administrative/Support Unit
I. Unit Title: Graduate & Continuing Studies
School/College or University Division: Academic Affairs
Unit Administrator: Tyrone Jackson
II. Educational Program Learning Outcome Assessment Plan (Academics)
Learner Outcomes identified for the major.
A. Learning OutcomeWhat should a graduate in the
_____(fill in major here)______
major know, value, or be able to do at graduation and beyond? / B. Data Collection & Analysis
1. What assessment tools and/or methods will you use to determine achievement of the learning outcome? 2. Describe how the data from these tools and/or methods will be/have been collected.
3.Explain the procedure to analyze the data. / C. Results of Evaluation
What were the findings of the analysis? / D. Use of Evaluation Results
1.List any specific recommendations.
2. Describe changes in curriculum, courses, or procedures that are proposed or were made/ are being made as a result of the program learning outcome assessment process.
N/A
III. Goals
-- For the Current Year
A. Goal # 1: Increase graduate enrollment and support the development of expanded graduate programs through alternate delivery methods, including on-line programs.
1. Institutional Goal which was supported by this goal:
SP Goal # 2 & 3: SP Goal 2: Students will enroll in greater numbers and a larger percentage will persist to graduation.
SP Goal 3: The university community will benefit from better communication, effective operational and administrative systems, an optimal work environment, and a performance-responsive reward structure.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s):
The Interim Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies and Coordinator of Continuing Education reviewed enrollment reports
from previous years. Assessments were made regarding enrollment in each semester after analyzing enrollment trends. The Interim Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies and Coordinator of Continuing Education collaborated with the Colleges of Education and Business in the launching of an online program in elementary education and the integrated Master’s of Business Administration programs.
3. Actual Results of Evaluation:
Application and admission numbers rose over the 2007-2008 level with the number of 1st time graduate students increasing for the fall 07 and spring 08 semesters. Overall enrollment numbers were static or declined slightly. The online master’s in elementary education and the iMBA were launched.
4. Use of Evaluation Results:
Overall enrollments in graduate programs remained static while the number of 1st time graduate students increased. The Division
continued to recruit graduate students as it has been in the past and will continue to evaluate strategies to enhance recruitment
efforts. Additionally, collaborative efforts will continue for alternative methods to deliver programs (e.g. elementary education
and iMBA) to a broader constituency for potential graduate students.
B. Goal #2. . . Increase enrollment in the BSIS program. Develop stronger relationships with academic units for development of concentration areas.
1. Institutional Goal which was supported by this goal:
SP Goals #1 & 2: SP Goal 1: Enhanced academic programs will ensure that graduates are well prepared for successful careers and ready to contribute to the civic life of their communities. SP Goal 2: Students will enroll in greater numbers and a larger percentage will persist to graduation.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s):
Obtain enrollment data from the Office of Institutional Research and measure number of concentration areas to determine increase in interdisciplinary collaborations.
3. Actual Results of Evaluation:
The number of students enrolled in the BSIS program increased. The participation by the heads of new programs that do not have their own majors/degree certification is significant: Directors of Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technologies (GIS) and Delta Music Institute (DMI) continue to work closely with the coordinator of BSIS to advise students of possible degree tracks.
4. Use of Evaluation Results:
To ensure that all academic departments are aware of the BSIS program and its benefits to their Credit Hours Production plans, the coordinator met with many faculty members and deans to suggest further collaborations to increase the awareness of the program.
C. Define the relationship between DSU and GHEC. GHEC will become a property of MDCC. Programming at the center
must be redefined.
1. Institutional Goal which was supported by this goal:
SP Goal #3: The university community will benefit from better communication, effective operational and administrative systems, an optimal work environment, and a performance-responsive reward structure.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s)
Division personnel met with GHEC staff members to evaluate policies and procedures for enrollment strategies in the Washington County area.
3. Actual Results of Evaluation:
Enhanced relationship with MDCC in the development of additional partnerships for enrollment efforts,
recruitment and scheduling.
4. Use of Evaluation Results:
Aggressively marketed the Center and will begin maintaining full-time presence coinciding with MDCC’s schedule and target growth programs in greatest demands at the GHEC.
-- For Coming Year(s)
A. Goal # 1: Increase graduate enrollment and support the development of expanded graduate programs through alternate delivery methods, including on-line programs.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal:
SP Goal # 2 & 3: SP Goal 2: Students will enroll in greater numbers and a larger percentage will persist to graduation. SP 3:
The university community will benefit from better communication, effective operational and administrative systems, an optimal work environment, and a performance-responsive reward structure.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s):
Obtain admission data on a weekly basis and make comparisons to previous years’ data and analyze enrollment in each term. Track admission and enrollment data on targeted programs (e.g., Online M.Ed. – Elementary Education).
3. Expected Results: (i.e. improvement percentages, increase/decrease in numbers, measurable data.)
Enrollment, particularly in targeted programs, will rise over previous years.
4. Anticipated/Intended Uses of Evaluation Results:
Low enrollment will be identified for targeted recruitment.
B. Goal #2: Partner with off-campus centers and other sites to delivery programs in partnering with community colleges
format and other course/program offerings.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal:
SP Goal 2: Students will enroll in greater numbers and a larger percentage will persist to graduation. SP 3: The university community will benefit from better communication, effective operational and administrative systems, an optimal work environment, and a performance-responsive reward structure. SP 4: Friends of Delta State University will become more aware and more supportive of the institution. SP 5: The citizens of the region will benefit from increases in university outreach, service and partnership initiatives.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s)
Obtain admission data on a weekly basis and make comparisons to previous years’ data and analyze enrollment in each term. Track admission and enrollment data on targeted programs.
3. Expected Results: (i.e. improvement percentages, increase/decrease in numbers, measurable data.)
Enrollment, particularly in targeted programs, will rise over previous years.
4. Anticipated/Intended Uses of Evaluation Results:
Continuous efforts will be made to address the needs of the off-campus centers and seek out sites in demand of higher education
in various locations.
C. Goal #3: Increase the number of schools and students participating in the dual enrollment program.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal:
SP Goal 2: Students will enroll in greater numbers and a larger percentage will persist to graduation. SP 3: The university community will benefit from better communication, effective operational and administrative systems, an optimal work environment, and a performance-responsive reward structure. SP 5: The citizens of the region will benefit from increases in university outreach, service and partnership initiatives.
2. Evaluation Procedure(s)
Obtain admission data on a weekly basis and make comparisons to previous years’ data. Analyze enrollment in each term.
Track admission and enrollment data on targeted programs
3. Expected Results: (i.e. improvement percentages, increase/decrease in numbers, measurable data.)
Increase the number of schools and students participating in the dual enrollment program.
4. Anticipated/Intended Uses of Evaluation Results:
The staff will share enrollment numbers with members of the University community to solicit feedback
regarding trends.
IV. Data and information for department:
Brief Description and/or Narrative of programmatic scope:
Graduate & Continuing Studies serves as a central outreach unit for the University. Programs housed in the unit include, but are limited to, the following:
· Graduate Office-Responsible for the recruitment and retention of graduate students. Coordinates graduate education across the University. Convenes Graduate Council, the policy making body for graduate education. Administers graduate assistantships for the University.
· Branch Campus Offerings—Coordinates DSU offerings at branch campuses (GHEC and CCHEC) as well as satellite locations (Jackson, Grenada, etc.)
· Travel Based Courses-Coordinates logistics for travel courses. These included travel to Washington, D.C., Florence, Italy, and across the Southeastern US.
· Cleveland –based courses-Many course beyond the current scope of the academic departments are often piloted through G&SC. These include a number of fitness courses.
· Intersession-All Intersession courses, both Winter and May, are coordinated through G&CS. This program is in its fourth year of existence.
· Dual Enrollment-developed partnerships with high schools to offer college credit to high school students.
· Senior Citizens-offering courses for elderly adults at affordable rates
· Youth Programming-Non-credit programming for children. These included Kids College, After School Arts, Soccer Camp, among others.
· Outreach Courses-Adult programming in a non-credit format. Popular offerings included ballroom dancing, water aerobics, Lunch & Learn.
· Teach Mississippi Institute-A non-credit, alternate route means of attaining a teaching license in the state of Mississippi. Conducted in partnership with the University of Mississippi.
· Continuing Education Units- Organizes and transcripts CEU for more than 10,000 annually.
· BSIS-This academic degree program was housed in G&CS. The program was transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences on 7/1/08.
· WIA workforce development program, federally funded and administered through the WIN Job Centers in Mississippi. This program was transferred to Student Business Services on 7/1/08.
Comparative Data (enrollment, CHP, majors, graduation rates, etc):
Graduate Student Enrollment
Semester / 1st time Graduate Students / Overall Graduate EnrollmentFall 2006 / 178 / 790
Fall 2007 / 204 / 735
Spring 2007 / 104 / 729
Spring 2008 / 140 / 749
Grants, Contracts, Partnerships, Other Accomplishments:
N/A
Economic Development initiatives and/or impact:
N/A
Diversity Compliance Initiatives and Progress:
N/A
Committees reporting to unit (Committee records archived in Graduate Office):
Graduate Council
V. Personnel:
Paul Starkey-Dean (transferred to College of Business –February 2008)
Tyrone Jackson-Interim Dean (performing duties of Dean and Assistant Dean)
Marilyn Read- Coordinator, dual enrollment, independent study, and selected academic activities
Callie Towles, Coordinator, Non-Credit Activities
Melissa Stewart, Coordinator, Academic Credit Activities
Sarah Mosley, Administrative Secretary
Katrina Sanders, Graduate Studies Secretary
Sandy Pittman, WIA/Non-Credit Secretary (transferred to Student Business Services-Summer 07)
Phyllis Howell, CEU Clerk
Noteworthy activities and accomplishments:
· Tyrone Jackson taught a five-day intensive course (The Civil Rights Movement in the Delta).
· Tyrone Jackson was selected to participate in Leadership Mississippi.
· Callie Towles served as Vice President for the DSU Bolivar County Alumni Association.
· Marilyn Read served as a member of the Planning Committee for the Association for Continuing Higher Education for the
South Region Conference.
· Sarah Mosley was recognized as Staff Employee of the Month (July, 2007).
· Katrina Sanders traveled to Jamaica and participated in several forums through the Division of Social Sciences.
New position(s) requested, with justification:
N/A
Recommended change of status
VI. Degree Program Addition/Deletions and/or Major Curriculum Changes:
Changes made in the past year:
The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies transferred to College of Arts and Sciences.
Recommended changes for the coming year(s):
N/A
Graduate & Continuing Studies2007-2008 Annual Report
Executive Summary /
The Division of Graduate & Continuing Studies is charged to serve as one of the University’s primary outreach units. The Division provides for credit programming on the main Cleveland campus, at two branch campuses and multiple satellite locations, administers the University’s executive programs in business, provides non-credit training and personal development programs for individuals and businesses across the region, administers the University’s Independent Study program, manages the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) process for the University, and coordinates Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs for the school. The Graduate Studies Office is also an element of the Division. Workforce Development and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BSIS) programs are both supported by the Division.
Effective, July 1, 2008, the Workforce Development program will be transferred to Student Business Services and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies will be transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences.
2007--2008 Activities
· Fall 2007 1st time graduate student enrollment rose by 13% from Fall 2006.
· Total class enrollment for dual enrollment rose by 48%over from Fall 2006 to Fall 2007.
· DSU continued the partnership with the IHL office and the University of Mississippi for Teach Mississippi Institute.
· DSU remains certified as a Training Provider with the WIA system in Mississippi. Approximately 394 students at DSU receive WIA benefits with tuition revenue of over $1 million received by the University.
· Division personnel enhanced relationships with graduate coordinators across campus on strategies to increase enrollment.
· The interim dean participated in emergency response training.
2008-2009 Plans & Issues
· G&CS will provide greater resources to increase enrollment at off-campus sites and for graduate school.
· Graduate enrollment will rise by 10% if academic resources are adequate to accept the growth in enrollment in programs. Some graduate programs are significantly understaffed, resulting in limited potential for increased course offerings and enrollment growth.
· Extra emphasis will be placed on building the independent program and expanding non-credit opportunities.
· Continue efforts to encourage academic departments to participate in intersession programs.
· Enrollment in online graduate programs (Commercial Aviation and Criminal Justice) will be severely limited due to shortages of faculty.
· Restructuring the dual enrollment by development of a communication plan.
[Graduate and Continuing Studies] Unit Plan and Report 2007-08
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